i'm addicted. by orange

As mentioned in previous posts, growing up, I was in love with the TV show Felicity.  When I got my first job out of college I remember how content and satisfied I felt when I was able to purchase all the seasons and, of course, re-watch them all.  Well ladies and gentlemen, I have a new show that I'm addicted to...

Friday Night Lights

Here are a few reasons why the show is Ahh-mazing.

1) The conversations between the characters (who are in high school) are realistic to their age.  There are no overly-mature monologues where you think - yeah, right.
2) Each character has a significant story, there is not just one "good guy" or the character that is always the antagonist.
3) Hour long episodes. 
4) The family dynamic of the coach's family.  It's not perfect which makes it all the more appealing.
5) Riggins, Seracen, Street...ummm...they are all good looking.
6) Some of them, Landry in particular, have such sassy attitudes - love it!
7) During the show, I'm completely sucked in, when the team scores a touchdown - I'm sitting in bed, raising my hands up in the air quietly yelling "Yeaahhh!"
8) It's like a never-ending football movie; I loved "Remember the Titans" and this is that, mulitplied times 60+ episodes.
9) The little boy from "The Blind Side" is in the show.  He is just too darn cute.

So, if you have not had the pleasure of watching this show and are looking for a new series to fall in love with, I highly recommend to go out and rent/buy Friday Night Lights.  There are three seasons out on DVD and the fourth season will start airing on TV in May.  Plenty of time to power thru the first three seasons and be ready for the new Friday Night Lights!

Go Panthers!


orange - in Biviel Black Patent Leather Flats

Becoming a Fan. by violet

When I was growing up it was a great time to be a California sport fan – The 49ers were in the midst of one of the greatest dynasties in sports. In 1989, when I was seven, the Battle of the Bay World Series between the A’s and the Giants was so big is caused and earthquake (science questionable). Plus, the San Jose Sharks were formed in 1991 (fond memories of the Cow Palace).
When I moved up to the Northwest, it was pretty easy to keep my professional sport allegiances but adopting my Oregon Ducks like no other team. I cheer for the Mariners except when they play the A’s. Since the 49ers just aren’t what they were when I was growing up, it’s been pretty easy to pull for the Hawks.

However, I’ve quickly discovered it’s pretty difficult to spend four hours on Saturday and four hours on Sunday watching football. That’s pretty much your whole weekend. But when Orange’s husband offered J. and me tickets to a hawk’s game, we jumped at the chance.

Orange and her husband ready for the game

When it turned out said came was against the 49ers I was a little conflicted. This is the team I grew up watching win Super Bowls. I remember my brother’s poster of Joe Montana. I remember those awesome gold Starter jackets that everyone rocked. But I was determined. I was converting. I bought a hat!

Yes! That's the jacket!

Temperatures in Seattle have been silly cold. Forecast for the day was that it wasn’t even going to break 40. Good thing I bought the super stylish beanie.

The Orange husband recommended a pre-game beer at F.X. McRory’s, should you ever find yourself going to a Seahawks game, you simply must go. They cram you in and about a half hour become game time the Blue Thunder Band squeezes in the blast their way through a set and your eardrums. That definitely woke me up!

Blue Thunder all in my face

Our seats were awesome. Right near the 12th man flag. The game was close all the way. The Seahawk offense struggled to find a rhythm – the defense really kept them in the game. And a few key plays kept the 49ers from busting it open. Things got really tight at the end and the Hawks pulled it out with a last second field goal.

Don't ask about the 'stache

So my most profound apologies to Joe Montana, Steve Young, Jerry Rice, Ronnie Lott and Dwight Clarke but I’m a convert.

Orange Violet reping the Seahawks

a few tricks. by orange

This past weekend a few friends and the husband and I packed up our car and headed down to our good friends' house in Eugene, OR, aka home of The Oregon Ducks. 

Going to Stacy and Ray's house is like a trip back home, visiting mom and dad.  They are around our same age, just have always had that "big brother/big sister", more "mature" persona to them.  Going to their house is the perfect escape from the day to day blur of work, stress, etc.  There were 3 main reasons for our trip to The Eug:

1. Halloween Party

2. University of Oregon vs. University of Southern California football game

3. Haunted Corn Maze

As violet's J. photo-documented the weekend festivities I'll leave #1 and #3 to future violet posts.  I'm digging into #2 reason.

Now I've never been really into football.  Of course I made all the normal football appearances during college however, by half-time I was the one ready to head home for a post-pre-funking game nap.  With marrying the husband, who Loves football, and all the college football Saturday/Sunday get togethers it was time I figured out what was going on during the game.

Here are the few things I've picked up over the past few seasons to help me through the game:

1. The computer imposed First Down line is Extremely helpful when watching a game on TV.  Basically, the offensive football team has 4 tries to make a First Down.  Once they make a First Down, they get to start the four tries over.  If they don't make the First Down within four tries then the other team gets the football.

2. In order for the football team to get the First Down, they have to move the football 10 yards down the field towards their end zone.

3. Main Penalities: False Start, Holding, Pass Interference and Face Mask (see below for the referee signals and a few more)

4. Main Scoring Opportunities:

Touchdown = 6 points
Field Goal = 3 points
P.A.T. (Point After Touchdown) = 1 point
Going for Two (where the offensive team runs it in after a touchdown) = 2 points

Any other tips you know of in order to get into the game?

And, by the way, this game (UO vs. USC) was EPIC. Pete Carroll (USC head coach) has never been beat by an opposing team by more than 11 points before this game.  We just happen to beat them by 27 points - it was amazing.  And I was really glad I could keep up with all the scoring during the game :).